The proposed project is a prospective experimental Randomized Control Trial study design. Independent old adults (age 70 years old and older) who do not suffer from balance problems willing to participate in the study will be tested before and after Peturbation balance training during walking to explore whether there are differences in balance control and balance reactions as a result of training.

The experimental and control groups will participate in 3 month training program twice a week 20 minutes each training session

Other Names:

treadmill walking

perturbation training during walking

Active Comparator: controls

treadmill walking

Procedure: perturbation training

The experimental and control groups will participate in 3 month training program twice a week 20 minutes each training session

Other Names:

treadmill walking

perturbation training during walking

Detailed Description:

A total of 48 old adults will be enrolled, evaluated and trained. They will be randomly assigned to two groups: one exercise group (perturbation training) and one group without perturbation. No gender based differences are expected for the recovery outcome measures so we will be able to pool male and female individuals for this analysis. Each subject of the experimental and of the control groups will be trained on 24 occasions over a period of 10-12 weeks (20-30 minutes, 2-3 times/week). This regimen was based on previous balance training study that demonstrated improvements in balance control with similar training duration and frequency. Gait and balance function and physical activity level will be tested in both groups before, immediately after, 3 and 6 months after completion of the training period to explore the benefit and carryover of training. In addition using monthly phone calls, falls, their severity, functional activity limitations in the home and community setting and health status will be monitored 12 months after the training period.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

70 Years and older (Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Be 70 years or older, male or female

Be an independent ambulator (not cane or walker) and provide medical waiver from MD.

Exclusion Criteria:

Severe focal muscle weakness or paralysis, after Total Hip or knee arthroplasty

Moderate-severe dementia (Mini-Mental Score < 24).

Serious visual impairment

Severe peripheral or compression/entrapment neuropathies.

Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or neurological disorders that may interfere with participation in the exercise program.

Cancer, metastatic or under active treatment.

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01439451